tracked leaders, ridden well over 1f out, led inside final furlon, driven out
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly away, in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace
held up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in touch, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, lost 2nd towards finish
Iffraaj has progressed with each start this term and deserved his Group 2 success at Goodwood last time but this is tougher for Godolphin's five-year-old under his penalty, as it is for Welsh Emperor, and preference is for Wasseema. Sir Michael Stoute's filly has improved all season, latterly by landing back-to-back Listed race successes at Ascot and Sandown. The daughter of Danzig should appreciate the drying ground and is taken to continue on the upgrade. Pam Sly's Speciosa beat the selection in the Nell Gwyn earlier in the season, prior to her success in the 1,000 Guineas but she has not been seen since failing to stay the Oaks trip and it remains to be seen whether she will return in the same form as in the spring. The old campaigner Quito can never be discounted but has had plenty of racing of late and may once again fall short in group company. Somnus was not good enough in the big sprint at Haydock last time and is again likely to fall short of the required standard here so the selection is Wasseema, who is taken to continue on the upgrade.
Iffraaj 6-4fav (9-4) Broke well, soon restrained behind leader, led 2f out, quickened clear 1f out, easily, won at Goodwood 7f Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug beating Jedburgh (9-0) by 4l, 10 ran.
Welsh Emperor (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) Made all, set steady pace until quickened over 2f out, hard driven and ran on final furlong, won at Newbury 7f Grp 2 (1) gs in Aug beating Jeremy (8-12) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
King Jock (USA) 20-1 (9-7) Held up, progress into 4th 2f out, ridden to lead under 1f out, ran on well, won at Leopardstown 1m Grp 3 (1) gs in Aug beating Arch Rebel (9-7) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Mac Love 20-1 (9-3) Took keen hold, held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 7, 3l behind Welsh Emperor (9-3) at Newbury 7f Grp 2 (1) gs in Aug.
Quito (IRE) 11-8fav (9-5) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, edged left and led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Haydock 7f lst stk (1) hvy beating Mine (9-2) by a nk, 6 ran.
Somnus 8-1 (9-3) Behind, went right just over 1f out, ridden when switched left and headway over 1f out, stayed on, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Reverence (9-3) at Haydock 6f Grp 1 (1) hvy.
Speciosa (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, gradually weakened, 9th of 15, 6l behind Nannina (9-0) at Ascot 1m 3yo Fll Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Short Dance (USA) 7-1 (8-9) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Red Evie (8-9) at Goodwood 7f fll stk Grp 3 (1) gf in Aug.
Wasseema (USA) 9-4 (8-12) Made all, led, going well over 2f out, shaken up and stayed on strongly from over 1f out, edged right final furlong, pushed out, won at Sandown 1m lst fll stk (1) gd in Aug beating Bahia Breeze (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
